Exercising device



c.G. PURDY EXERCISING DEVI'CE Aug. 28, 1923.

F115: March 29. 1921 I Fatented Aug. 28, 1923.

UNITED STATES CHARLES G. PURDY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

EXERCISING DEVICE.

Application filed March 29, 1921. Serial No. 456,616.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES G. PURDY, a citizen of the United States, and 'a resident of the city of New York borough of Brooklyn, in the county of (ings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Exercising Device, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in exercising devices,

and it pertains more particularly to devices especially designed and constructed for exercising the teeth, gums and all other organs which under a natural diet-would receive their exercise through the act of mastication.

It is well known that modern methods of preparing food usually result in a cooked food requiring little or no mastication. The use of such foods results in decayed teeth, undeveloped jaws, and various other complications due solely to the lack of exercise attendant on proper mastication.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a device the use of which will supply the necessary exercise to the muscles of these several organs to keep said organs in a healthy state, and operate as a preventative agent and curative medicine in case of pyorrhea.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device of this character which is capable of use in different forms dependent 'upon existing conditions.

With the above and other objects in view, reference is had to theaccompanying drawin s, in which igure 1 is a plan view of the mouthpiece of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing one of the methods of use of the device;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing another method of use of the device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device comprises a plate 5 so shaped as to conform to the general contour of the mouth. This plate is prepared in such a manner that it will have the bite of the person for whom the plate is made, said plate being formed with depressions adapted to receive the teeth in such a manner that each tooth Will be in contact therewith during the operation of gripping the plate between the teeth. The plate 5 may be formed of either rigid material or pliable material as desired, and the same is reinforced by means of a wire or the like 6, extending through the body substantially centrally thereof. As more clearly shown in Fig. 1, this reinforcing element is projected beyond the front portion of the plate to form an eye 7. Attached to the eye 7 is a cord or other suitable flexible member 8, and said cord or the like has a spring or similar element 9 secured to its other end. In lieu of this construction, however, itis obvious that a rigid handle may be attached to the device, if desired.

The device is used in the following manner:

The plate is gripped between the teeth of the user and the spring or flexible member 8 is attached to a wall or other suitable support. When the device has been secured to the support and the plate firmly gripped between the teeth, by movements of the head, the device will receive a series of short jerks or impulses which will be transmitted to the teeth in order to produce a strain thereon, which strain serves to give the several organs of the mouth and head a proper exercise to maintain the necessary circulation therein.

In Fig. 4 is shown another method of using the device and when used in this manner, two plates 5 are employed. Each of these plates is provided with a flexible member 8, the ends of which are secured to a single elastic member 9 in the form of a spring or the like. This form of the device is used by two persons, each of which grips one of the plates between the teeth, and said persons pull in opposite directions similar to the so-called tug-of-war.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides means by which the teeth, gums and other organs of the month are subjected to sufficient exercise to set up a free circulation therein and maintain'a healthy state thereof.

I claim: I l

1. A device for exercising the teeth comprising a plate adapted to correspond with the articulation of the user, and means connected with the plate for exerting traction on said plate whereby the teeth are positively exercised, as and for the purpose set forth,

2. A device for exercising the teeth comprising a plate of suitable material, means for reinforcing said plate, said reinforcing means projecting from said plate in the form of an eye, and traction-producing means secured to said eye.

3. A device for exercising the teeth comprising a plate formed to conform to the articulation of the user, and traction-producing means adapted to be attached to said 10 plate, said traction-producing means comprising a pliable elastic member.

4:. As a new article of manufacture, a de-- wearer vice for exercising the teeth, comprising a plate shaped to conform to the contour of the mouth and having on each side comparatively deep depressions to receive the teeth, said depressions corresponding in number to the teeth of the user so that each tooth will be seated in a depression, the plate being rovided with a member projecting from gs front portion whereby when traction is exerted upon said member, each individual tooth will be exercised.

' CHARLES G. PURDY. 

